Weighted Exercise Ribbon

ABSTRACT

A weighted exercise ribbon has flexible unweighted portions located at each end with at least one weighted portion between, with the end unweighted portions having sufficient length that the ribbon may be conveniently positioned or tied in place by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For certain exercise programs it is desirable that additional weight belifted or supported by the user (beyond just the weight of the user'sbody). For this reason freestanding weights (dumbbells, barbells,weighted balls, etc.) are often used. In some situations it is desirablethat the additional weight be more firmly attached to the user, and inthose situations ankle weights with straps, and even weighted bodyvests, are sometimes used. However, attaching the weighted equipment iscumbersome, and the time required to complete the attachment mayinterfere with the exercise sequence. Other weighted devices have beenproposed to be laid on or over the user's body, such as the Tai Chi YogaBag disclosed in US Publication Number 2011/0201478 (Friend) and theWeighted Device disclosed in US Publication Number 2014/0213421 (Paris).The present invention provides a weighted exercise aid that can bequickly and conveniently accessed, used, and when necessary placed on orattached to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a flexible ribbon with at least one weighted portionand unweighted portions at each end of the ribbon for use in yoga andother forms of exercise. In the preferred embodiment a weighted portionof the ribbon is between unweighted portions at the ends of the ribbon,and the combined length of the unweighted end portions is at least 50%of the overall ribbon length. This length is sufficient to facilitate itbeing positioned on or tied around the user's body. The weighted portionof the ribbon may comprise a removable flexible weight that is insertedin a pocket in the ribbon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the weighted portion of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows the weighted portion of the present invention configured toreceive a weighted insert in a defined inner pocket.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention showingthe thickness of the ribbon and a segmented weighted portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a ribbon with a weighted portion and an unweightedportion at the ends of the ribbon for use in yoga and other forms ofexercise. As used in this description, “ribbon” means a long strip offlexible material. Other terms used for this invention could be sash,band, strap or belt, and the term “ribbon” is intended to encompass allof these analogous terms. The ribbon of the present invention has twoends and has a length, a width, and a thickness. When wrapped around auser's midsection, the “width” of the ribbon would lie parallel to theirbody. The thickness and width of the ribbon may vary between theweighted and unweighted portions. Preferably the width of at least partof the end unweighted portions is at least 50%, and ideally at least 75%of the width of the weighted portion.

The combined length of the end unweighted portions is preferably atleast 50% of the overall ribbon length, and ideally is longer. Asignificant length of unweighted portion at each end of the ribbon isimportant for several reasons. First, it gives the ribbon an overalllength that allows a user grasping each end of the ribbon to be able toeasily maneuver it behind their body or to other positions. Second, itprovides a sufficient length of unweighted material to allow tying toaid in holding the weighted portion of the ribbon in the appropriateposition.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment the ribbon has a middleweighted portion 4 with unweighted portions 2 and 6 on either side ofthe weighted portion 4. The unweighted portion refers to the portion ofthe ribbon without substantial added weight, but those portions wouldhave the weight of the ribbon material. The ribbon is configured so thatthe weighted portion can be laid across part of the user's body, such asacross the ankles, feet, waist or midsection, or so the ribbon can betied around the user's body, or both. The key to the effectiveness ofthis invention, and a novel aspect of this invention, is the length ofthe unweighted portions of the ribbon relative to the weighted portionof the ribbon. The ribbon is preferably long enough so that for certainexercises the user may hold opposite ends of the ribbon in each hand.For other exercises, the weighted portion of the ribbon may be moved tothe proper position across a user's body utilizing the unweightedportions at the ends of the ribbon to facilitate positioning.

The ribbon may be tied loosely around the body of the user, and may evenbe intended to come loose during exercise so as to require additionalbalancing by the user. Alternatively, the ribbon can be tied more firmlyin position. Of course, even in the more firmly tied position, thismethod of attachment would not be as secure as the complex and tightstrap structures associated with ankle weights or body vests. The timerequired to adequately tie the ribbon in place would be just a fewseconds. When tied, even if loosely tied, the ribbon of the presentinvention will tend to adequately stay in position even duringsignificant exercise movement. This tendency to stay in place is anunexpected benefit of the present invention. While prior art weightsthat attach to a user utilize straps with buckles, Velcro or similarattachment devices to hold the weights in place, the absence of these isdesirable in one embodiment of the invention. While Velcro or a similarunobtrusive fastening means could be used to connect the ends of theribbon (as an alternative to tying) such a fastening means is notmandatory.

In a preferred configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the unweighted portions2 and 6 on each side of a weighted portion 4 are each approximately thesame length as the weighted portion 4. The weighted portion of theribbon is substantially weighted, meaning that its weight issignificantly more than the weight of the ribbon material alone. Theweight of the weighted portion is ideally in the range of 1 to 20pounds. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the unweighted end portionscomprise about ⅔ of the overall length of the ribbon.

Preferably the ribbon has a width at least about 10 times the thicknessof the end unweighted portions of the ribbon, and ideally a width atleast 40 times that thickness. For example, a 5 inch wide ribbon wouldbe less than ½ inch thick at the unweighted portion, and ideally lessthan ⅛ inch thick at that unweighted portion. The weighted portion ofthe ribbon would be thicker than the unweighted portion due to theweight (described in more detail below). The thickness of the weightedportion (with the weighted material in place) is preferably no greaterthan the width of the unweighted end portions of the ribbon. The ribbonmay be uniform in width or may vary in width. Preferably the overalllength of the ribbon is at least 3 feet in length, and ideally more than6 feet in length.

Different configurations, and particularly different lengths of theunweighted portions of the ribbon are possible. One unweighted portioncould be longer than the other. Each unweighted end portion could belonger or shorter than the weighted portion. Preferably both unweightedportions of the ribbon are approximately equal in length and combinedare at least 50% of the overall ribbon length.

The ribbon may be constructed of fabric, leather, suede, nylon, or arange of other suitable flexible materials known to one skilled in theart. Preferably the ribbon is made of a microfiber fabric or othermaterial that is comfortable against a user's skin but also providessufficient friction (whether or not tied) to keep the ribbon (andparticularly the weighted portion of the ribbon) from moving too easily.Regions of the ribbon could be rubberized or otherwise treated tofurther enhance friction, whether tied or just draped across the user'sbody. Since the ribbon would likely become saturated with sweat, it isdesirable that it be washable. The ribbon may be constructed of multiplelayers, and it is desirable to include a moisture wicking layer on theouter surface (contacting a user's skin or clothing) with a moistureabsorbing layer beneath it. The entire ribbon may be stretchable, oronly the end unweighted portions may be stretchable.

The weighted portion of the ribbon can be permanently incorporated inthe ribbon or, preferably, would be a removable weighted insert so thatthe ribbon (without the weight) could be washed. FIG. 2 shows a crosssection of the middle, weighted portion 4 of one embodiment of thepresent invention. In this preferred embodiment, the ribbon is formed byfolding a strip of ribbon material as shown in FIG. 2 and attaching theedges 8 and 10 with a known closure such as a sewn connection 12 todefine a ribbon with and upper and lower surface and an enclosed innerpocket. A separate weighted insert 14 would slide into the inner pocketof the ribbon, which could take on an oblong or round shape. Theweighted insert 14 should be flexible so as to flex with the ribbon, andbe filled with an appropriate weighting material such as sand, gel orwater, and have an exterior constructed of a material that will properlycontain the weighting material. For example, canvas could be used withsand as a weighting material. Alternatively, the weighted portion neednot include an insert or pocket and the weighted material could beincorporated directly and permanently into the weighted portion of theribbon.

In a preferred embodiment, the weighted portion of the ribbon (or theweighted insert) could comprise multiple segments as shown in FIG. 4.This segmented configuration could assist in making the weighted insertsuitably flexible and could help the ribbon stay in position during use.Separate weighted segments 20 are defined by boundaries 22 that are sewnor otherwise placed between the segments 20. The ribbon may havemultiple weighted portions, whether or not they are referred to as“segments”. The key feature of the invention is that at the ends of theribbon are unweighted portions having meaningful length as describedabove and at least one weighted portion is between them.

The weighted portion of the ribbon may be fixed, with a defined boundarybetween that weighted portion and the unweighted portions, or may beundefined, with the boundary defined by a user. An example of a userdefined boundary would be tying a knot in a ribbon made up of the upperand lower surfaces. The defined boundary between the weighted andunweighted portions of the ribbon can be defined with a sewn boundary atone end and a closable boundary at the other, to allow for removal ofthe weighted portion from the closable boundary. Examples ofconfigurations for the closable boundary would include a zipper,buttons, Velcro, or other closures known in the art. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 3, the weighted portion could be defined with sewnboundaries at each end, but with an opening running parallel to thelength of the ribbon which could be closed using a zipper 16 or withbutton(s), Velcro, or other closures known in the art.

The preferred dimensions of the ribbon would have a weighted portionapproximately one fourth to one half the circumference of a user's body(for some users, approximately 18 inches) and an overall ribbon lengthat least equal to a user's arm span, and preferably 1 to 2 feet longerthan the user's arm span. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,the ribbon is designed to be about 84 inches long, with a weightedportion 18 inches long and unweighted portions on either side of theweighted portion, each 33 inches long. The preferred embodiment of theribbon is 5 inches wide, and is formed by taking a continuous piece ofmicrofiber fabric 10½ inches wide and 84 inches long, folding itlengthwise and sewing it in the folded position in three segments—withthe middle section serving as the weighted portion of the ribbon. Withinthe inner pocket formed by the folded fabric in this middle section, aweighted container—ideally a sandbag approximately 3½ inches wide, %inch thick, and 17 inches long—would be inserted and the opening to thepocket and the pocket would be closed with a zipper.

Alternatively, the ribbon could also be configured so that only theweighted portion has a defined inner region and the unweighted portionsare single layers of ribbon material. A ribbon could also be selectedwith a cross-section different than the thin rectangular cross-sectiondescribed above. Such alternate cross-sections could be, for example,circular, oval or elliptical. In those configurations references towidth and thickness would be interpreted appropriately by one skilled inthe art. With an approximately round unweighted end portion thethickness and width would be equivalent and in this embodiment adiameter of at least ½ inch, and preferably more than 1 inch, would bedesirable. The dimensions of the unweighted portions could also bedifferent than those of the weighted portion, such as wider or narrower,or thicker or thinner. In addition, different materials could be usedfor the weighted and unweighted portions of the ribbon.

I claim:
 1. An exercise ribbon having a weighted portion andsubstantially unweighted portions at each end of the ribbon.
 2. Theexercise ribbon in claim 1 wherein said unweighted portions have acombined length at least one half of the overall ribbon length.
 3. Theexercise ribbon in claim 2 wherein each of said unweighted portions aresubstantially equal in length.
 4. The exercise ribbon in claim 1 whereinthe length of said end unweighted portions is more than 60% of thelength of the overall ribbon length.
 5. The exercise ribbon in claim 1wherein said weighted portion of said ribbon comprises a weighted insertand an inner pocket in said ribbon is configured for receiving aweighted insert.
 6. The exercise ribbon in claim 5 wherein said innerpocket has an opening with a zipper closure.
 7. The exercise ribbon inclaim 5 wherein said inner pocket has an opening with a Velcro closure.8. The exercise ribbon in claim 1 wherein said weighted portion has atleast two segments.
 9. The exercise ribbon in claim 5 wherein saidweighted insert has at least two segments.
 10. The exercise ribbon inclaim 1 wherein each of said unweighted portions is at least twelveinches in length.
 11. The exercise ribbon in claim 1 wherein each ofsaid unweighted portions is at least twenty inches in length.
 12. Theexercise ribbon in claim 1 wherein each of said unweighted portionscomprises a single layer of ribbon material.
 13. The exercise ribbon inclaim 1 wherein each of said unweighted portions is made of astretchable material.
 14. An exercise ribbon having a middle weightedportion made of a first material and substantially unweighted portionsmade of a second material at each end of the ribbon.
 15. The exerciseribbon of claim 14 wherein said second material is flexible.
 16. Theexercise ribbon of claim 15 wherein said second material is fabric. 17.The exercise ribbon in claim 1 wherein said substantially unweightedportions have no attachment devices.
 18. The exercise ribbon in claim 2wherein said substantially unweighted portions have no attachmentdevices.
 19. The exercise ribbon in claim 3 wherein said substantiallyunweighted portions have no attachment devices.
 20. The exercise ribbonin claim 5 wherein said substantially unweighted portions have noattachment devices.